Ghana is making strides in the telecom sector by merging Telecel and AirtelTigo to create a stronger competitor to MTN. The new entity is expected to have a market share of around 26%, compared to MTN’s dominant 79%.
The Ghanaian government is investing $600 million to support the merger and ensure its success. This funding will come from spectrum sales, policy interventions, and contributions from the private sector.
The merger is seen as a strategic move to challenge MTN’s longstanding dominance in the market. AirtelTigo, which has been struggling financially, will benefit from the merger with Telecel, which recently acquired Vodafone Ghana.
While this is not Ghana’s first attempt at telecom consolidation, the government is hopeful that this merger will be more successful than the previous Airtel-Tigo merger in 2017. AirtelTigo’s market share declined significantly after the merger, but the government believes that this new entity will be better positioned to compete with MTN.
MTN, on the other hand, continues to invest heavily in Ghana, with plans to upgrade its infrastructure and services. The company reported a significant increase in revenue in the first half of 2025, further solidifying its market position.
The integration process for the Telecel-AirtelTigo merger includes technical migration and staff restructuring, with a target completion date by the end of 2025. While the merger could lead to operational improvements and price competition, its ability to challenge MTN’s lead remains uncertain.
Overall, the telecom sector in Ghana is undergoing significant changes, and the merger of Telecel and AirtelTigo is a key development to watch in the coming months.
